20 Things You Should Never Buy at the Dollar Store

Posted by Doug Murray on October 26, 2016, Updated on February 27, 2018

While there are lots of great deals at your local dollar store, not everything is a bargain. The price may be low, but the size may be smaller, meaning that you can get a better deal elsewhere.

As with anything cheap, quality takes a hit. Many dollar store items are just fine for single or light use. But don't expect them to last forever. In many cases, you get what you pay for. And sometimes you get even less.

1. Deodorant

You'll find a lot of name brand items at your local dollar store, like deodorant and antiperspirant. But before you buy, check the size first. Often a bigger version is available for not much more at the drug store, meaning it's a better value.

2. Pop

That bottle of pop might seem like a good deal too, but again, check the size. Often the bottles are smaller, and you might end up paying more per ml than if you bought a big bottle at the grocery store.

3. Toys

Dollar store toys are great if they're not going to be used much, but they won't stand up to regular abuse. Be careful with toys for toddlers, as some of the parts might pop off and become choking hazards.

5. Batteries

Dollar store batteries can be poorly made and may drain quickly. Some don't have modern formulations and will let you down, or worse: leak. When it comes to batteries, go for brand names that you can trust.

6. Knives

If you need some knives that won't see much use (say for those twice-a-year camping trips), then go for it. But if you're planning to do some serious cooking, save yourself a bunch of frustration and buy serious knives.

8. USB Chargers

If you're looking for cheap chargers for older cell phones and devices that don't need much power, the dollar store USB chargers will work perfectly. But if you want to charge the latest smartphones and tablets, you may be disappointed. The charger may not have enough juice to charge your device or if it does, it will charge at a much slower rate.

Thinkstock

9 of 20

9. HDMI Cables

The prices some places charge for HDMI cables is criminal, so it's no surprise that you're tempted by the cheap dollar store variety. Yes, they're inexpensive, but they're also prone to breakage.

The best place for these kinds of cables is from online computer stores or websites like Amazon. You can still find a good deal, and get the quality you deserve.

Thinkstock

10 of 20

10. Plastic Cooking Utensils

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, some plastic utensils may contain chemicals that are linked to health problems. They recommend buying more expensive stainless steel utensils instead.

Thinkstock

11 of 20

11. School Supplies

Sticky notes that don't stick. Pens that leak. But a lot of other dollar store school supplies are just fine, right? Yes, but the Las Vegas Review-Journal says you might find better deals on bulk quantities when the big-box stores have sales.

Thinkstock

12 of 20

12. Pet Food

The Review-Journal says cheap pet food and treats may be made from sub-standard ingredients. They recommend checking expiration dates and ingredient lists, especially if you have a pet with dietary restrictions.

Thinkstock

13 of 20

13. Makeup

Makeup is another product area to avoid, says the Review-Journal. Even brand name items may be past their best before date, and other brands may contain harmful chemicals. Makeup is also one of those items you should never buy at the duty-free.

Thinkstock

14 of 20

14. Toiletries

The Review-Journal says the same thing about toiletries. Off-brands may have ingredients you don't want near your skin, and you may find better deals on brand name products elsewhere.

Thinkstock

15 of 20

15. Canned Goods

According to Kiplinger, some off-brand canned goods may contain traces of harmful chemicals like BPA. Before you buy tinned goods from any retailer, do your research.

Even with the brand names, compare the price against those sold at a grocery store. Sometimes you're getting a deal, sometimes you're not.

Thinkstock

16 of 20

16. Gum

There's nothing wrong with the gum you'll find at the dollar store, but it may cost you more. If you're a big chewer, Kiplinger recommends buying bulk packages at Costco.

Thinkstock

17 of 20

17. Electric Cords

Electrical cords and plugs may not be of the highest quality and could be prone to breaking, creating a fire hazard. To be on the safe side, buy extension cords and power strips from bigger retailers and always look for the CSA approval sticker.

Thinkstock

18 of 20

18. Vitamins

Wimp.com recommends avoiding dollar store vitamins, saying they may not have the same ingredients or nutrients as the brand name version. There are still deals, but check ingredients before buying.

Thinkstock

19 of 20

19. Oven Mitts

According to Wimp, cheap oven mitts offer much less protection than quality versions. If you want to protect yourself from extreme heat, don't cheap out.

Thinkstock

20 of 20

20. Plastic Bags

And finally, plastic bags. Many off-brand offerings are of poor quality. This applies to re-sealable bags, garbage bags, and recycling bags. If you don't want garbage bags bursting on the way to the curb, spend a few bucks more on the quality brand names.